So, you’ve taken my advice and popped your pills. In fact, you’ve taken them all. Now, you have to order more . . . Shit. That means you have to pick up that thing you spend all day playing solitaire on and actually talk to another human being. I know, I know. It’s a scary thought. We millennials text so we won’t have to talk to other people. However, once you’re done hyperventilating into a paper bag, check out my quick tips on refilling prescriptions below. It’ll ease the pain somewhat, I promise.
1.) Keep Track of Your Supply This one is pretty simple. When you are filling up your pill keepers each week (or two weeks, or month, depending on which kind you have) just make a mental note of how many pills you have left. If it helps you to write the exact count down and how many days you have left before you run out, do so. Being proactive and ordering things BEFORE you run out is better than being forced to do without because the pharmacy can’t refill it right away.
2.) Know Which Drugs Come From Which Pharmacy You’re going to start getting annoyed with me, because I’m instructing you to make yet another list. You can either create one entirely separate from The (Original) List, or just add on to the existing one. However, I would advise that you make a new one because a too-large list is unwieldy and eventually counterproductive. Jot down the names and numbers of the various pharmacies, doctors, insurance carriers, etc., that run your life. Make note of what drugs come from what pharmacies—whether it’s your local Walgreens or a specialty pharmacy—and possibly which ones require prior authorization from your doctor. (See, I said you would need the doc and insurance numbers, too.)
3.) Call Them Right, here’s the hard part where you have to pick up the phone . . . Just kidding. Many pharmacies now have online refill capabilities. You create an account with them, usually linked to an email account, and when you sign in you have access to a range of options. You can look at all the prescriptions they have on file for you, refill your prescriptions with the push of a button, and even set up automatic refills. I have an account with Walgreens.com, and I have it set up to send me emails and text messages regarding refills, delays, and pick-up notifications. However, some specialty pharmacies may not include this service. The phone is not your enemy! So, grab your stress ball and dial the number.
PHOTO “Fighting Phone Phobia” COURTESY OF Bob Lassiter
4.) Talk To A Person Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step of contacting the right pharmacy. Now, I’m assuming you’re talking to a human being after listening to a robot telling you to pick an option number for about 20 minutes. Sorry, I know forewarned is forearmed and all that, but you didn’t want to pick up the phone in the first place. I wasn’t about to tell you it takes extreme levels of patience to navigate your way past the menu. Now, you’re talking to a real live person. Usually, they need you to list off name, address, date of birth, yada yada. Once they are finished confirming that you are, in fact, you, it’s time to order.
5.) Set Up Delivery Type That Works For You Once you’ve placed your refill order, the person on the other end of the line will usually begin setting up delivery options for you. Sometimes, you can have your specialty medication shipped to a local affiliate pharmacy and you can go pick it up there. In other cases, it’s simpler to just have it shipped directly to your home. You then have to make a decision about whether you want a signature to be required or not. It’s medication, so usually this is a good idea. However, what happens if you aren’t home when they deliver the medication? What if it requires refrigeration upon delivery? Is it better for your situation to have it left on your front step, so you can get it when you get home? Do you trust your neighbors not to steal your stuff, I guess? I live in an apartment complex, so all our packages are signed for by the front desk. And they are kind enough to put any boxes that require refrigeration into the office fridge for me, or—if I can’t get home before the office closes—someone will pop upstairs and put it on my counter.
6.) Don’t Hang Up Just Yet! Wait! Before you put down the phone and shudder about the trauma I just put you through, ask the customer service representative about refill reminders. Some companies have automatic reminders that robo-call you a week before you’re due to refill your meds. (Most companies prefer to have at least a week of processing and delivering time, FYI) Others can take your email address or cellphone number for the same purpose. A word of caution about the automatic reminders. I have one particular company that would robo-call me almost every day, multiple times a day, because I hadn’t requested a refill in a while. (I was on vacation, so switched up some of my rotating meds for ease of travel)
Don’t be afraid of the phone. Being on top of your refills and ordering will pay off in the end. After all, no dedicated pill-popper wants to be without her meds.
And remember, take it one breath at a time.
P.S. If you have any say in which specialty pharmacy you order from (it varies at different insurance providers), I suggest you do your research on forums and in groups related to your illness before choosing. Some companies are a real pain in the ass to work with . . . *cough* Ack. *cough* Creed. *cough* D’oh!
HEADER IMAGE “Doctor Stock Photo” Courtesy of negativespace.co
Take A Breath 